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Renting in Arizona

Your rights as a tenant in Arizona

In Arizona, the security deposit can be up to 1.5 months of rent. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.

The rules, one by oneFree or low-cost legal help
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Maximum deposit
Up to 1.5 months of rent
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(A)
To return your deposit
14 business days
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(D)
Notice for late rent
5 calendar days
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B)

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

What the law says

The rules, one by one

The basic rules for renting in Arizona, answered with state law and its citation.

Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.

  1. How much can they charge for a deposit?

    Up to 1.5 months of rent

    In Arizona, a landlord cannot ask for or accept more than 1.5 months' rent as security, including prepaid rent. You may choose to pay more rent in advance if you want.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(A)
    “A landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, including prepaid rent in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent.”

    Source: Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes · Verified on October 16, 2026

  2. When must they return my deposit?

    14 business days

    After the tenancy ends, you return the unit and ask for your deposit, the landlord has 14 days (not counting Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) to give you a list of deductions and any money owed to you.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(D)
    “Within fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays or other legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant the landlord shall provide the tenant an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due and payable to the tenant, if any.”

    Source: Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes · Verified on October 16, 2026

  3. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

    5 calendar days

    If you don't pay rent on time, the landlord can give you a written notice. If you don't pay within 5 days after the notice, the landlord can go to court to end the rental agreement. These are calendar days.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B)
    “If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within five days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement if the rent is not paid within that period of time”

    Source: Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes · Verified on October 16, 2026

  4. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

    30 days

    To end a month-to-month rental in Arizona, the landlord or tenant must give written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1375(B)
    “The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice.”

    Source: Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes · Verified on October 16, 2026

  5. Are there limits on late fees?

    Before the landlord files in court, your rental agreement is reinstated if you pay all past-due rent and a reasonable late fee that is written in your rental agreement.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B)
    “Before the filing of a special detainer action the rental agreement shall be reinstated if the tenant tenders all past due and unpaid periodic rent and a reasonable late fee set forth in a written rental agreement.”

    Source: Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes · Verified on October 16, 2026

Protections

Protections the law gives you

We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.

  • Only a court order can remove you

    Yes: state law says so

    The landlord may not change the locks or enter your unit until the court issues the writ of restitution and a constable or sheriff serves it.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§33-1367, 33-1364(C)
    “The landlord may not change the locks or enter the rental unit until the writ of restitution has been issued by the court and served by the constable or sheriff.”

    Arizona Judicial Branch – Self-Service Center

  • Protection from retaliation

    Yes: state law says so

    The landlord cannot raise your rent, cut services, or threaten eviction to punish you for complaining to a government agency or to the landlord about housing problems, or for joining a tenants' group. If you complained within the 6 months before, the law presumes it is retaliation.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1381
    “Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after any of the following:”

    Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes

  • Repair and deduct from the rent

    Yes: state law says so

    If the landlord does not make a required repair, and it costs less than $300 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), you can notify them in writing. If they don't fix it in 10 days, you can hire a licensed contractor and deduct the cost from rent, with an itemized statement.

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1363(A)
    “If the landlord fails to comply with section 33-1324, and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than three hundred dollars, or an amount equal to one-half of the monthly rent, whichever amount is greater, the tenant may recover damages”

    Arizona State Legislature – Arizona Revised Statutes

Eviction

How an eviction works in Arizona

Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.

Compare with other states

  1. 5-day notice to pay rent

    at least 5 calendar days

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B)
    “the tenant fails to pay rent within five days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment”

    azleg.gov

  2. Landlord files the eviction complaint

    What the law says
    “The landlord must give the tenant proper notice and wait until the business day after the expiration of the tenant's notice before filing an eviction action in justice court.”

    azcourts.gov

  3. Service of the summons

    at least 2 days

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1377(B)
    “The summons in a special detainer action shall be served at least two days before the return day and the return day made on the day assigned for trial.”

    azleg.gov

  4. Court date: appear and answer

    3 to 6 days

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1377(B)
    “appear and answer the complaint at the time and place named which shall be not more than six nor less than three days from the date of the summons”

    azleg.gov

  5. Trial (if postponed)

    up to 3 days

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1377(C)
    “For good cause shown supported by an affidavit, the trial may be postponed for not more than three days in a justice court or five days in the superior court.”

    azleg.gov

  6. Judgment

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1377(F)
    “If the defendant is found guilty, the court shall give judgment for the plaintiff for restitution of the premises”

    azleg.gov

  7. Writ of restitution issues

    at least 5 days

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §12-1178(C)
    “No writ of restitution shall issue until the expiration of five calendar days after the rendition of judgment.”

    azleg.gov

  8. Constable or sheriff executes the writ

    What the law says · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §12-1178
    “Writs of restitution are executed (served on a tenant or the rental unit) by a constable or sheriff.”

    azcourts.gov

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Arizona?

In Arizona, a landlord cannot ask for or accept more than 1.5 months' rent as security, including prepaid rent. You may choose to pay more rent in advance if you want. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(A))

When must a deposit be returned in Arizona?

After the tenancy ends, you return the unit and ask for your deposit, the landlord has 14 days (not counting Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) to give you a list of deductions and any money owed to you. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321(D))

What notice is required for late rent in Arizona?

If you don't pay rent on time, the landlord can give you a written notice. If you don't pay within 5 days after the notice, the landlord can go to court to end the rental agreement. These are calendar days. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B))

How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Arizona?

To end a month-to-month rental in Arizona, the landlord or tenant must give written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1375(B))

Are there limits on late fees in Arizona?

Before the landlord files in court, your rental agreement is reinstated if you pay all past-due rent and a reasonable late fee that is written in your rental agreement. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1368(B))

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

Pending

What is left to verify

We have not yet verified these Arizona rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.

  • How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
  • Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet